FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[rscl70]

Purple over Purple gets my vote.

[raiderpa]

First sighting on St Thomas board:
"Mount Union has not seen a defense like we have" 
to paraphrase:  UMHB defense not even close to being as good as the Tommies...
here we go

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I just wanted to win Friday, now I want to win and score 40...or 50...or 60

[skunks_sidekick]

Purple black combo....either way.

UST has earned their right to be in the Stagg, and one could argue that their road was certainly tougher.  I don't agree, because in my opinion they have not played anyone as talented as UMHB (no offense to the UWO faithful), even if their second/third round games might be considered tougher.

I hope the Raiders put on the gas, and make sure to hang on to the football.  If that happens, I would say......

UMU - 42
UST - 17

[hazzben]

First sighting on St Thomas board:
"Mount Union has not seen a defense like we have" 
to paraphrase:  UMHB defense not even close to being as good as the Tommies...
here we go

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I just wanted to win Friday, now I want to win and score 40...or 50...or 60

UMHB may be the better team. We'll get an idea on Friday. But it's not at all outlandish to claim UST has a better D than the Crusaders. And you are blatantly putting words in their mouths to claim they are saying UMHB is "not even close to being as good as the Tommies." No one has said that.

Rush D:
1. UMU - 46 yds/g
6. UMHB - 72 yds/g
7. UST - 76 yds/g

Pass D:
4. UMU - 133 yds/g
110. UST - 210 yds/g
225. UMHB - 262 yds/g

Pass Eff D:
2. UMU - 79
19. UST - 102
59. UMHB - 113

Total D:
1. UMU - 179 yds/g
16. UST - 278 yds/g
80. UMHB - 334 yds/g

Scoring D:
1. UMU - 8.6 ppg
11. UST - 14.1 ppg
65. UMHB - 20.4 ppg

3rd Down Pct:
3. UMU - 25.1%
6. UST - 27.4%
62. UMHB - 33.8%

Turnovers Gained: (maybe this is why they seem to have such a superior D  )
3. UMHB - 38
7. UST - 34
10. UMU - 33

Sacks:
18. UST - 44
38. UMHB - 40
42. UMU - 39

UMHB ranks ahead of UST in just two categories, and only marginally so (4 yds/g rushing; 4 TO's on the season). In every other category, UST has the edge. Several times by a good margin.

Now, if UST fans were claiming their D was superior to Mount's, I could see you getting your purple panties in a bunch. But I know of no credible UST or MIAC poster (i.e. not including the drivel that Purple Reign puts out there) who is claiming UST has the edge on D or as a team. They are confident, but not delusional. And they've earned that right by making the Stagg, a path that included several quality teams that UST dominated on D and made totally one dimensional.

It's entirely possible that Mount has not seen a D this year like UST's. It's also highly likely UST has not seen an offense or defense as good as Mounts. And that's why I can't wait for Friday. We get to see it proved on the field! We really do have a great, even if not perfect, system in place at the end of the day.

[theaprof]

First sighting on St Thomas board:
"Mount Union has not seen a defense like we have" 
to paraphrase:  UMHB defense not even close to being as good as the Tommies...
here we go

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I just wanted to win Friday, now I want to win and score 40...or 50...or 60

UMHB may be the better team. We'll get an idea on Friday. But it's not at all outlandish to claim UST has a better D than the Crusaders. And you are blatantly putting words in their mouths to claim they are saying UMHB is "not even close to being as good as the Tommies." No one has said that.

Rush D:
1. UMU - 46 yds/g
6. UMHB - 72 yds/g
7. UST - 76 yds/g

Pass D:
4. UMU - 133 yds/g
110. UST - 210 yds/g
225. UMHB - 262 yds/g

Pass Eff D:
2. UMU - 79
19. UST - 102
59. UMHB - 113

Total D:
1. UMU - 179 yds/g
16. UST - 278 yds/g
80. UMHB - 334 yds/g

Scoring D:
1. UMU - 8.6 ppg
11. UST - 14.1 ppg
65. UMHB - 20.4 ppg

3rd Down Pct:
3. UMU - 25.1%
6. UST - 27.4%
62. UMHB - 33.8%

Turnovers Gained: (maybe this is why they seem to have such a superior D  )
3. UMHB - 38
7. UST - 34
10. UMU - 33

Sacks:
18. UST - 44
38. UMHB - 40
42. UMU - 39

UMHB ranks ahead of UST in just two categories, and only marginally so (4 yds/g rushing; 4 TO's on the season). In every other category, UST has the edge. Several times by a good margin.

Now, if UST fans were claiming their D was superior to Mount's, I could see you getting your purple panties in a bunch. But I know of no credible UST or MIAC poster (i.e. not including the drivel that Purple Reign puts out there) who is claiming UST has the edge on D or as a team. They are confident, but not delusional. And they've earned that right by making the Stagg, a path that included several quality teams that UST dominated on D and made totally one dimensional.

It's entirely possible that Mount has not seen a D this year like UST's. It's also highly likely UST has not seen an offense or defense as good as Mounts. And that's why I can't wait for Friday. We get to see it proved on the field! We really do have a great, even if not perfect, system in place at the end of the day.

+k

[Dr. Acula]

First sighting on St Thomas board:
"Mount Union has not seen a defense like we have" 
to paraphrase:  UMHB defense not even close to being as good as the Tommies...
here we go

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
I just wanted to win Friday, now I want to win and score 40...or 50...or 60

UMHB may be the better team. We'll get an idea on Friday. But it's not at all outlandish to claim UST has a better D than the Crusaders. And you are blatantly putting words in their mouths to claim they are saying UMHB is "not even close to being as good as the Tommies." No one has said that.

I think he was referring to USTBench saying "MUC is a high-powered, experienced, awesome offense BUUUUT I don't think UMHB's defense is even close to the same caliber as UST's."  That sure sounds like what he paraphrased to me. 

[raiderpa]

all the stats are skewed by quality of opponents, so it is difficult to give them any credence.
I was just making a comment that every year when the
playoffs get underway, someone comes on the board and gives the argument that ...."well Mount Union as never seen a team like ours..."
It gets old and I guess we will just have to wait and see.
But, after watching the speed, size, and strength of UMHB's defense, it is very hard to believe that anyone could be any better.  I think that UMHB defense was every bit as fast and strong as Mount's at nearly every position, and Mount is rated #1.  (I say that knowing that Mount's conference is not strong across the board and so the #1 is skewed, IMO.) 
The stats are further skewed by the fact that Mount's  #1 offense and defense rarely were on the field for four quarters until the playoffs.

[Retired Old Rat]

playoffs get underway, someone comes on the board and gives the argument that ...."well Mount Union as never seen a team like ours..."
It gets old and I guess we will just have to wait and see.

And every year a Mount supporter comes on here and expresses their amazement that some other team might actually be the best team Mount has seen that year.

[Olinemom]

Packing up the 12 pans (24 dozen) of brownies in the Gritmobile, getting ready to roll towards Salem.  Looking forward to seeing everybody!! I like that idea of a d3 posters' picture.  Ryan took one several years ago and it was a blast.  There was a sign-up board just to see who was there. Hope someone makes one up for this year.  It wasn't a piece of paper, but something substantial.  Can't remember what it was (that's from being old, I'm sure!) Over and out.

[section13raiderfan]

I say we wear the throwback uniforms. The original lavender and turquoise. I can't make a Friday stagg bowl but will find something lavender and turquoise to wear game time. But seriously folks...... It's a night game, wear black jerseys to make the ball harder to follow for the defense. s for pants it doesn't matter. I doubt LK is burnt out on coaching yet. Every year there is something new to prove. If he is healthy he will continue. My guess is politics is the only thing that will drive LK to retire.

[crufootball]

all the stats are skewed by quality of opponents, so it is difficult to give them any credence.
I was just making a comment that every year when the
playoffs get underway, someone comes on the board and gives the argument that ...."well Mount Union as never seen a team like ours..."
It gets old and I guess we will just have to wait and see.
But, after watching the speed, size, and strength of UMHB's defense, it is very hard to believe that anyone could be any better.  I think that UMHB defense was every bit as fast and strong as Mount's at nearly every position, and Mount is rated #1.  (I say that knowing that Mount's conference is not strong across the board and so the #1 is skewed, IMO.) 
The stats are further skewed by the fact that Mount's  #1 offense and defense rarely were on the field for four quarters until the playoffs.

I don't follow the MIAC very much so I won't comment on St. Thomas and their defense but you can easily explain some of the high averages that the UMHB defense has in that we face some of the best offenses, at least statistically, in the nation. With 5 of the 8 ASC teams in the Top 30 it would take a mighty effort to all out stop them.

[HScoach]

playoffs get underway, someone comes on the board and gives the argument that ...."well Mount Union as never seen a team like ours..."
It gets old and I guess we will just have to wait and see.

And every year a Mount supporter comes on here and expresses their amazement that some other team might actually be the best team Mount has seen that year.

The point you're missing is the word NEVER.  I'm not saying STU can't win, but in 16 Stagg appearances and a handful of almost trips, I seriously doubt STU brings something to the table that Mount has never seen.  I'll easily give you "this season" as the OAC is down and MHB was the first really good team we've played in '12, but no way does STU bring something that LK hasn't seen and prepared for. 

The question is whether the guys will play close enough to LK's expectations and their ability to win the game.  Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.  Saturday against MHB was very close to being in the "not" category because of the 5 turnovers. 

In all honesty, I see the following potential pitfalls for Mount:
1.  Mount's offensive TO's continue (which I doubt)
2.  Mount doesn't bring the same energy as last week (which I doubt given the senior leadership and the hunger of taking their rightful place in Mount history)
3.  STU's offensive line is really as good Whitewater's best lines and will push Mount around
4.  STU's defensive line is bigger and more athletic than MHB's line and therefore makes Mount keep a RB or 2 in the backfield to protect Burke.

Things that make me confident:
1.  LK. 
2.  Mount has experience in dealing with the distraction of Salem, STU does not.
3.  Even if Mount can't run, they can easily rely solely on the passing game to move the ball.
4.  Mount has experience in playing teams that are bigger, faster, stronger than they are but still being able to win.  Does STU?

[USTBench]

playoffs get underway, someone comes on the board and gives the argument that ...."well Mount Union as never seen a team like ours..."
It gets old and I guess we will just have to wait and see.

And every year a Mount supporter comes on here and expresses their amazement that some other team might actually be the best team Mount has seen that year.

Well, it IS the National Championship and UST did just hold UWO to 25 yards rushing in a national semifinal to a team that averaged 250+ rushing a game...in the WIAC.

Not saying UST is going to shut out MUC, I just think UST has a much better D than MUC has seen this year. Pretty reasonable considering this the Stagg Bowl.

[Retired Old Rat]

I interpreted NEVER to mean never so far this year.  I've never seen anyone say prior to the game being played that their team is the best that Mount has faced in the history of The Machine.

[Raider 68]

With all the discussion about defense, here are some categories for the offense:

Rushing Offense

# 14 Mount Union 263 yds. per game
# 22 St.Thomas   243 yds. per game

Passing Offense

# 25 Mount Union 295 yds. per game
# 83 St. Thomas  222 yds. per game

Total Offense

# 3  Mount Union 558 yds. per game
# 23 St. Thomas  465 yds. per game

Scoring Offense

# 1  Mount Union 54.6 per game
# 29 St.Thomas   36.4 per game

Passing efficiency

# 1  Mount Union 191
# 82 St. Thomas  133

Interceptions thrown

# 11 Mount Union  8
# 39 St. Thomas  19

Red Zone Efficiency

# 11 Mount Union 87%
# 88 St. Thomas  77%